Hokies Can't Contain Jackets' Triple Option

ATLANTA — The triple-option offense is designed to sustain drives and control tempo.

It also comes with a surprising number of big plays, and Georgia Tech got four critical ones Saturday night in a 28-23 victory over Virginia Tech.

All four of Georgia Tech's scoring drives featured a play of at least 30 yards. The first was Josh Nesbitt's 51-yard pass to Demaryius Thomas in the first half, Nesbitt's only completion.

Then came Nesbitt's 31-yard keeper and Jonathan Dwyer's 33-yard run in the third quarter as Georgia Tech took a 21-10 lead. The last was Nesbitt's 39-yard touchdown run up the left sideline with 3:00 left. That virtually sealed it.

"You've got some kids that are fast there at A-back," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "Dwyer is a load. He's a great back. Thomas is tough to match up with. No. 5 (Stephen Hill) is tough to match up with. They've got some talent on that offense."

Entering the game, Georgia Tech had made nine plays of more than 50 yards on the season. That led the ACC. Georgia Tech was second to Virginia Tech in plays of 30 yards or more, with 17. Make that 21 now.

The biggest play of the four was Nesbitt's pass on Georgia Tech's fourth drive. Before that play, Georgia Tech had only 2 yards of total offense. Virginia Tech failed to get adequate pressure, and Thomas, at 6-foot-3, caught what Beamer called "a jump ball" against a smaller defensive back.

"They've got good athletes, and every play you've got to defend two or three options, and you can't commit to one," said Virginia Tech linebacker Cody Grimm. "If you don't get off your blocks, they'll make the big plays they do."